Henny van der Groep responds to Mats:

>>... Avoid Marc Weiner's "Rickard Wagner and the antisemitic Imagination"
>>if you don't can take a great distance to a biographers biased view.
>
>Marc Weiner's book is an excellent book if you want to know more about
>a composer's life in it's time or the context.  Musically, Historically,
>Philosophically and Psychologically he knows exactly where he's talking
>about.

I picked up the Weiner book at the library yesterday and, so far, it is an
interesting reading experience.  Mats might be right that there's a bias
emanating from Mr.  Weiner, but a biography of Wagner which glossed over
the bigotry element would be biased as well.

Opinions aside, "bigotry" and history have cemented Hitler to Wagner; it's
an association which will likely always be viewed as up-front.  I know this
doesn't sit well with many Wagner advocates, but Wagner largely brought
this upon himself through his writings and all-star personality.  The man
has "skeletons" in his closet and the doors are wide open.  No degree of
advocacy can turn that around.  AND, Wagner's situation can be a great
example to current/future masterful artists that, regardless of the genius
of their art, other aspects of their lives might well receive much
attention after their demise.

Don Satz
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